Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi Complete ... - BrahminVoice.org

Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi
is miserable, with extended perceptions the misery must increase
proportionately. Occult powers will not bring happiness to anyone,
but will make him all the more miserable!
Moreover what are these powers for? The would-be occultist (siddha)
desires to display the siddhis so that others may appreciate him.
He seeks appreciation, and if it is not forthcoming he will not be
happy. There must be others to appreciate him. He may even find
another possessor of higher powers. That will cause jealousy and
breed unhappiness. The higher occultist (siddha) may meet a still
higher siddha and so on until there will come one who will blow
up everything in a trice. Such is the highest adept (siddha) and He
is God or the Self.
Which is the real power? Is it to increase prosperity or bring
about peace? That which results in peace is the highest perfection
(siddhi).
D.: But common people in Europe and America would not appreciate
such an attitude and would desire a display of powers and
instructions by lectures, etc.
M.: Lectures may entertain individuals for a few hours without
improving them. Silence on the other hand is permanent and
benefits the whole of humanity.
D.: But silence is not understood.
M.: It does not matter. By silence, eloquence is meant. Oral lectures
are not so eloquent as silence. Silence is unceasing eloquence.
The Primal Master, Dakshinamurti, is the ideal. He taught his rishi
disciples by silence.
D.: But then there were disciples for Him. It was all right. Now it is
different. They must be sought after and helped.
M.: That is a sign of ignorance. The power which created you has
created the world. If it can take care of you, it can similarly take
care of the world also.
D.: What does Bhagavan think of the “lost soul” mentioned by
Jesus Christ?
M.: Think what there is to be lost. Is there anything to lose? What
matters is only that which is natural. Such must be eternal and
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